Although more commonly popular in Indian cuisine, mango powder, also known as Amchoor or Amchur powder, is required in many other recipes. This powder has a tangy and sour flavor that comes through in cooking. This spice is essential in many dishes in Italian cuisine. It goes well in soups, stews, and braises. Instead of adding more liquor, you may utilize it to thicken your recipes.
Since mango powder may not be readily available in your local stores, it's essential to have backup ingredients to take its place. The best mango powder substitute must provide an acidic taste while blending with other elements and offer nutrients like the mango powder.
You can use homemade mango powder, pomegranate powder, tamarind powder, citric acid powder, or apple cider vinegar in vinaigrettes and vegetable-based meals like chutney. With savory meals and meats, tomato powder, loomi, and sumac work nicely. If you're looking for a dairy option, use yogurt as a basis for curries and kebabs.
Table of Contents
Best Mango Powder Substitutes
1) Tamarind Powder
Tamarind powder offers the best qualities that make it the best mango powder substitute on this list. Just like mango powder, tamarind powder provides a sweet and sour taste along with tartness and tang. Moreover, the powder form does change any dish's consistency; therefore, it can be great for meat, sauces, soups, and vinaigrettes.
Since both tamarind powder and mango powder share almost the same characteristics, you can replace a tablespoon of mango powder with one tablespoon tamarind powder or a 1:1 ratio. However, you may want to add or reduce this suggested measurement based on your liking.
Tamarind can sometimes be sweeter than mango powder, so you can add either lemon juice, lime juice, or just a dash of apple cider vinegar if you wish to lower the sweetness down. Like mango powder, tamarind also brings many health benefits as it has high antioxidants.
2) Tamarind Paste
Like tamarind powder, tamarind paste may be used to substitute mango powder in your recipes. Tamarind paste is made from crushed dried tamarind fruit, seeds, and fibers. Like the mango powder, this paste has a blend of acidity and fruity aromas.
Due to its rich taste, tamarind paste is an excellent addition to Asian and Indian food like vegetable curries and seafood dishes. However, the paste may alter the consistency of the recipe, so we recommend that you start by replacing each tablespoon of mango powder with half a tablespoon of tamarind paste and work your way up.
If the paste isn't sour enough for your likings, like suggested when using tamarind powder, you can add lemon juice, lime juice, and apple cider vinegar to balance the sweetness.
3) Homemade Mango Powder
If you've run out of mango powder and have the luxury of time, you can make mango powder at home! All you need are unripe mangoes and a food processor.
You can start the process by slicing the unripe mangoes into thin strips and drying them under the sun or over a dehydrator. Once they're completely dry and brittle, place the strips in a food processor and grind.
You want to reach a powdery consistency. Once done, you can transfer the dry mango powder to a clean jar.
What makes homemade mango powder easy is that there's no other ingredient added to it. However, note that it will take a few days to complete the natural drying process.
There's no substitution measurement for this, as it is the same as store-bought mango powder.
4) Green Mango Puree
Green mango puree is a pureed form of unripe raw mango dried fruit that works well as a mango powder alternative in recipes that call for a liquid component to replace a powdered spice, such as curries or sauces.
Due to newer taste compounds, green mango puree may have a somewhat more robust flavor than green mango powder. To use as a substitute, add half a tablespoon of green mango puree for every tablespoon of mango powder required to substitute.
5) Anardana Powder
Because anardana means pomegranate in Hindi, anardana powder is truly pomegranate powder. When it comes to flavor, it's comparable to mango powder in that it's both acidic and sweet at the same time. It's a staple in Indian food, just like mango powder, and it goes well with a range of meals and spices, including mint, fresh coriander, and cumin.
Anardana powder tends to be sweeter than mango powder, so we recommend replacing every tablespoon of mango powder with half a tablespoon of anardana powder. You can also add apple cider vinegar to increase the sourness and balance the sweet taste. Anardana powder is an excellent addition to salads and meat dishes.
Pomegranate is regarded as one of the healthiest fruits available. It can help prevent potentially lethal illnesses, such as heart disease and cancer. Fortunately, Anardana provides all of these health benefits.
6) Loomi
When it comes to Middle Eastern cuisine, Loomi is another amchoor powder substitute that you shouldn't overlook. This spice is made by grinding dried, preserved limes that have been boiled in salty water. The limes become black and have a strong fruity sour flavor, akin to amchoor powder.
Although it provides a tangy taste, flavors may vary as loomi gives an intense earthy flavor and is salty. However, its citrusy, sour flavor resembles mango powder and is an excellent addition to meat and vegetable dishes.
When used as a substitute, you can start by replacing each tablespoon of mango powder with half a tablespoon of loomi. You might also need to adjust the salt added to your recipe, as loomi contains salt.
7) Sumac
Sumac is a famous Middle Eastern spice created from dried sumac berries ground into a fine powder. Sumac, unlike mango powder, is made from completely ripe berries rather than green, sour ones, giving it a lighter taste than amchoor powder. However, this is a great substitute when dealing with light dishes.
This amchoor replacement is highly acidic, and it has a lemon-like flavor and scent. However, since it's less sour than other alternatives, we recommend replacing each tablespoon of amchur powder with two tablespoons of sumac powder. Sumac powder is also rich in antioxidants that prevent diseases.
8) Chaat Masala Spice Blend
Chaat Masala is the first spice blend in our list of amchoor substitutes. Described as a mixture of dry mango powder, dried pomegranate seeds, and black salt, chaat masala is undoubtedly an excellent amchoor substitute for any type of dish that requires mango powder.
When used as a substitute, you can use equal parts of the mango powder and chaat masala required in the recipe you're following. You can expect a slightly sweeter taste that doesn't interfere with the rest of the ingredients.
9) Lemon Juice
If the recipe you're following requires mango powder and you don't have any, just grab your lemon and squeeze out the juice. Like amchoor powder, lemon juice provides that citrusy sour taste with a hint of sweetness. Lemon juice is a natural deodorizer and is an excellent addition to dishes with meats.
To use as a substitute, you only need a little; only add a teaspoon of lemon juice for every tablespoon of mango powder required. You should also note that you should add the lemon juice once the dish is almost done cooking, as the heat turns the lemon's sour taste bitter.
Like mango powder, lemon juice is rich in antioxidants and is loaded with vitamin C.
10) Lime Juice
Like lemon juice, lime juice provides the sour taste that amchoor powder offers. However, the only difference is that lime juice lacks the hint of sweetness that can be noted on both lemon juice and amchoor powder. Nevertheless, if you only have lime juice at home, you can use that as a substitute.
Due to its strong sour taste, you only need to replace every tablespoon of amchoor powder with one teaspoon of lime juice. Then, you can add a pinch of brown sugar to mimic that sweet taste that you get with dry mango powder.
11) Citric Acid
We included this on the list since there's no other substitute more acidic than citric acid. Citric acid gives off a solid sour taste without the sweet aftertaste and is commonly used to enhance the flavor of many dishes. Citric acid is available in crystal and powder form, but the powder form is more commonly found in local stores.
Due to its strong sour taste, we recommend only using a little to substitute amchoor powder or mango powder. For every tablespoon of mango powder required, only use half a teaspoon of citric acid. You can also add a pinch of brown sugar to mimic the sweet aftertaste from mango powder.
Citric acid from natural sources offers health benefits. However, the synthetic form of citric acid does not produce any health benefits.
12) Tajin Seasoning
If you're following a Mexican recipe that calls for mango powder, you can grab your tajin seasoning as a substitute. This mango powder substitute is a mixture of ground dried chilies, dehydrated lime juice, and sea salt; this mango powder substitute provides the sour taste with a spicy kick.
However, people who don't enjoy spicy foods should consider adding only a tiny amount first and add more if needed. To substitute, replace every tablespoon of mango powder with half a tablespoon of tajin powder. It may not be as sour as mango powder, but you can add more as long as you tolerate the spicy taste.
13) Tomato Puree
Tomatoes are naturally sour with a hint of sweetness, making tomato-based products like tomato puree a great mango powder substitute. Due to its thick consistency, tomato puree does not alter the texture while enhancing the dishes' flavors.
When used as a substitute, you can replace each tablespoon of mango powder with half a tablespoon of tomato puree and add more if you wish to achieve a sourer taste. Do note that tomato puree has a strong tomato taste that might interfere with other ingredients in huge amounts.
14) Tomato Powder
Like tomato puree, tomato powder offers a naturally acidic taste with a sweet taste. The only difference is that tomato powder is purely made from dried tomatoes, while tomato puree has other ingredients, and you can expect a stronger tomato taste with this substitute.
To substitute, just replace every tablespoon of dried mango powder with a quarter of tomato powder. If you wish for a stronger flavor, just add another quarter tablespoon of tomato powder.
15) Fresh Pineapple
Fresh pineapples are a great source of sweet and sour taste. Aside from the rich taste, pineapple contains a lot of active enzymes and antioxidants that make it an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. The enzymes in pineapples also act as a tenderizing agent, making it a great addition to meat dishes.
The measurements using fresh pineapples as a substitute can be tricky, as the taste may differ depending on the ripeness of the fruit. To achieve a closer taste with dry mango powder, we recommend the use of pineapples that are not fully ripened. Use a slice of approximately 15 grams to replace a tablespoon of dried mango powder.
16) Pineapple Juice
If you don't have a fresh pineapple but do have a can of pineapple juice at hand, you can use that as an amchoor powder substitute. Like fresh fruit, pineapple juice has a strong tenderizing factor, making it great for meat products.
Pineapple juice tends to be sweeter, so start by replacing each tablespoon of mango powder with half a tablespoon of pineapple juice.
17) Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a go-to alternative in a pinch and is nearly a universal component in everyone's cupboard. Other vinegar may serve as a dried mango powder alternative, but apple cider vinegar is the finest due to its rich sour taste.
Apple cider vinegar is a healthy choice since it lowers cholesterol and improves heart health. Salad dressings, mango chutney, and even meat dishes may benefit from apple cider vinegar. When used as a substitute, you can start by replacing one tablespoon of mango powder with half a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
18) Yogurt
In liquid-based recipes, this is a typical substitute for dried mango powder. Yogurt is a terrific addition to your diet plan since it is adaptable and has several health advantages. Probiotic bacteria, calcium, protein, disease-fighting antioxidants, and vitamin D are abundant in yogurt. Yogurt is readily accessible and inexpensive, and its tart flavor may substitute for the sourness of dry mango powder in curries, chutneys, and sauces.
To use as a substitute, replace each tablespoon of mango powder with a tablespoon of yogurt.
Summary
Check out this list of the best mango powder substitutes and any important information you'll need to know when using them in cooking.
| Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tamarind Powder | Best substitute. Can be sweeter than mango powder. You can add lemon, lime, or apple cider vinegar. |
| Tamarind Paste | Provides a richer tamarind taste. Start by replacing half of the required mango powder. |
| Homemade Mango Powder | Takes days to complete the process. Tastes the same as store-bought mango powder. |
| Green Mango Puree | Made from pureed unripe mangoes. Has stronger flavors. Great for sauces. |
| Anardana Powder | Made from pomegranate seeds, it's sweeter than mango powder. Add apple cider vinegar to balance the taste. |
| Loomi | Made from dried, preserved limes. Provides a sour and salty taste. Great for meat dishes. |
| Sumac | Has a light sour taste. A 2:1 sumac to amchur powder substitute is recommended. |
| Chaat Masala Spice Blend | A spice blend that contains mango powder. Great for any dish; it has a slightly sweeter flavor. |
| Lemon Juice | Offers a sour taste with a hint of sweetness. Add a teaspoon for every tablespoon of mango powder. |
| Lime Juice | It lacks a sweet taste, but you can add a pinch of brown sugar to achieve the sweet aftertaste. |
| Citric Acid | A synthetic powder that offers a solid sour taste without the sweet finish. |
| Tajin Seasoning | A mixture of dehydrated lime juice and chili powder; may not be as sour as mango powder. |
| Tomato Puree | Provides a deep, tangy flavor with a hint of sweetness. It can be overpowering in huge amounts. |
| Tomato Powder | Offers a stronger tomato paste. Use a quarter tablespoon to replace one tablespoon of mango powder. |
| Fresh Pineapple | Great for tenderizing meat products. Use one slice to replace a tablespoon of mango powder. |
| Pineapple Juice | Sweeter than fresh pineapple juice. Great for meat dishes. |
| Apple Cider Vinegar | A universal favorite vinegar. Readily available. Only use half of the required mango powder. |
| Yogurt | Provides the tartness. Great for salads and liquid-based recipes. |
Related Questions
Homemade mango powder is the best substitute but might take a lot of time to make. Tamarind powder, tamarind paste, and anardana powder are great alternatives, too.
The most notable taste of mango powder is a strong sour taste with a sweet undertone.
To make mango powder, you only need to slice unripened mango into strips, dehydrate or dry them, and grind them to a fine powder. This powder can last for a year in an airtight container.
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